Quick Updates

I promise to post some more about our great Silver Birch retreat, but I've been so busy with other things in the life of our ministry. I'm feeling on such a God high lately as I have conversations with students, staff, church members, and parents. It seems God is really working in a lot of people in huge ways right now, and nothing could excite me more. We continue to have record numbers of students attending our middle school ministry, and have added some great new regulars recently. We're talking about some things I feel are very relevant to teen life, and I keep praying God uses as much of what we're doing as possible. I also just have to say I have such a great job: I get to love and hang with students all the time, and I can't imagine anything better.

Our middle schoolers just finished up a series called Exposed: The Naked Truth About Sex. In a way it was an easy series to teach because the Bible lays out such a specific plan for sex and marriage, and is quite forthright on the lies the world trys to tell us (its amazing how little has changed on this topic in human culture over 2000 years). In another respect it was quite a challenge to make sure we did'nt create tons of awkward tension or weird middle school girly giggling. Our students did a great job taking it seriously and I pray they got a clear vision of what God's intent and plan is and that they are committed to waiting. It was also really fun getting to cover two of our students in make-up this week (currently I feel nice and am not posting pictures, but I have a feeling they will soon start leaking on Facebook).

Our High Schoolers just started a series entitled HABITS, and we're looking at ways to make meaningful connections with God regularly. We started by talking about the benefits of connecting with God, and this week we're going to talk about how important it is to have people in your life that can help hold you accountable as you live your life with and for God.